REVIEW: Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan @kevinkwanbooks @vintageanchor
Crazy Rich Asians
by Kevin Kwan
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Publisher: Anchor
Publish Date; May 20, 2014
Paperback
527 Pages
Series: Crazy Rich Asians #1
Genres: Contemporary, Romance, Womens Fiction
When New Yorker Rachel Chu agrees to spend the summer in Singapore with her boyfriend, Nicholas Young, she envisions a humble family home and quality time with the man she hopes to marry. But Nick has failed to give his girlfriend a few key details. One, that his childhood home looks like a palace; two, that he grew up riding in more private planes than cars; and three, that he just happens to be the country’s most eligible bachelor.
On Nick’s arm, Rachel may as well have a target on her back the second she steps off the plane, and soon, her relaxed vacation turns into an obstacle course of old money, new money, nosy relatives, and scheming social climbers.
My Review:
I have this rule where if I see the movie or show, I won't read the book. But I will watch after I've read. This is the first time where I've started the book, got half way, watched the movie and THEN finished the book. This was my book club's choice for this month. We made it a theme and met for dinner at a Chinese restaurant and then went to watch the movie. I had SO much fun with my girls!
Here's the thing. I thoroughly enjoyed the read and was about 200 pages or so in before going to watch the movie. Some things seemed overly done - is it supposed to be? Is this how things really are? There are certain themes that resonated with me from an Asian family point of view. There were some highly hilarious moments. I am still astounded that he would never have brought his family's fortune up to his girlfriend .. I mean, sure at first but TWO YEARS in and no warning before taking her to meet them? Yeah... no dude - you messed up!
Now we get into the movie - VERY entertaining - fast paced... parts of it very emotional (I'll blame my almost tears on my lack of sleep for two days). Some parts super hilarious - BOK BOK! And then I finished the book... and well.... I kept thinking to myself no.. no.. that's not what happened! I found myself liking the movie version better and this is a rare to NEVER thing that happens!
Would I continue the series? I don't think I will... in book form anyways. Would I watch sequels? Yes, yes I would. I think I would give the movie 5 stars and the book 3 so I'm splitting the difference and rating this 4 stars as I'm not sure I'm doing a service to the book in the way I read it. Ironically bookending it with the movie as the juicy center piece.
★★★★
Here's the thing. I thoroughly enjoyed the read and was about 200 pages or so in before going to watch the movie. Some things seemed overly done - is it supposed to be? Is this how things really are? There are certain themes that resonated with me from an Asian family point of view. There were some highly hilarious moments. I am still astounded that he would never have brought his family's fortune up to his girlfriend .. I mean, sure at first but TWO YEARS in and no warning before taking her to meet them? Yeah... no dude - you messed up!
Now we get into the movie - VERY entertaining - fast paced... parts of it very emotional (I'll blame my almost tears on my lack of sleep for two days). Some parts super hilarious - BOK BOK! And then I finished the book... and well.... I kept thinking to myself no.. no.. that's not what happened! I found myself liking the movie version better and this is a rare to NEVER thing that happens!
Would I continue the series? I don't think I will... in book form anyways. Would I watch sequels? Yes, yes I would. I think I would give the movie 5 stars and the book 3 so I'm splitting the difference and rating this 4 stars as I'm not sure I'm doing a service to the book in the way I read it. Ironically bookending it with the movie as the juicy center piece.
★★★★
Ha love the review Chandra~
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